Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has called on UK employers, parliament and political parties to do more to celebrate diversity and not merely “tolerate” lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) staff.

Speaking at Stonewall’s Workplace conference in London, the Labour MP criticised parliament, saying it “should look like the country we stand for and represent”.

“The truth is, we don’t have enough openly gay and lesbian MPs being selected for parliament, just as we don’t have enough black and minority ethnic MPs and we don’t have enough women MPs,” Cooper said.

“We know that we have a huge amount more to do, both in Labour and across the other political parties,” she added.

Also speaking at the event was broadcaster and economist Evan Davis, who suggested employers should learn from those in Silicon Valley who embrace difference and don’t see diversity as simply a question of sexual orientation, disability or ethnicity.

“It’s broader – you want to involve introverts and extroverts, optimists and pessimists, thinkers and people who do things,” he said.

“Diversity doesn’t just mean having people who fit a pre-assigned category but are otherwise identical to everyone else,” he added.

Stonewall deputy chief executive Laura Doughty said: “People perform better when they can be themselves, and it’s no coincidence that employers who recognise this perform far better than those who don’t.

“It’s fantastic to see so many great employers taking equality so seriously, and treating it as a significant factor in their success.”

Accessibility

GSpeech

News By Category

Creating Opportunities Today!

Sign up for our newsletter!

Email:

Twitter

Are you interested in sponsoring the biggest & best Diversity Awards in the UK?
Sponsorship Opportunities for the 2019 National Diversity Awards are now available!
For more information, please visit our website! ow.ly/DAa730n21Xg#NDA19pic.twitter.com/lb4HX6rcdz

A HUGE thank you has to be extended to our 2018 National Diversity Awards Judging Panel. A collection of truly wonderful D&I leaders who dedicated their time and ploughed all of their efforts into ensuring that we created a genuine and inspirational NDA Shortlist! #NDA18pic.twitter.com/m3StVtPjvt

Sponsorship opportunities available at The National Diversity Awards 2019!
For more information on how your organisation can get involved with The NDA's & to hear more about the opportunities available please feel free to contact the NDA team - info@nationaldiversityawards.co.uk pic.twitter.com/3wOjUJqtaw

Nominations for the 2019 National Diversity Awards open in February next year!
#RT If you are excited! Have you got your nominations in mind? It's never too early to gather your thoughts!
For more information, please visit our website! ow.ly/Qulz30n0Mz1#NDA19pic.twitter.com/yey70jrzkB